By Chito A. Chavez
The southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by a tropical depression spotted off Batanes is expected to bring heavy rains in Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
As of 11 a.m. yesterday, tropical depression “Ester” (international name “Gaemi”) was nearly stationary and 275 kilometers north-northwest of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 60 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.
It slightly intensified as it continues to move towards the mountainous region of southern Taiwan.
PAGASA said Ester is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility last night and this morning.
PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring rains over the Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Zambales, and Bataan. Residents of these areas were advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides.
